Revision knee replacement surgery

Eventually all joint replacements will wear loose and become painful. In loosening, the surrounding bone becomes eroded. This leaves behind less 'bone stock' in which to re-implant a new knee.

Revision hip surgery is bigger surgery than the 1st time round. Effectively double the surgery takes place; removal of the old and re-implantation of the new.

Technology has moved on such that both components of the revision knee replacement have been designed to provide fixation in the remaining bone stock, maximising the success of the surgery. Where primary knee replacements do not require stems, revisions do. The stems provide added stability to the fixation of the components to the bone stock.

There is a significant element of skill, training and experience required for revision knee surgery. Ensuring the best possible results.

The complication rate is higher in revision knee surgery than in primary surgery. There is a greater infection rate and increased residual discomfort rate, still low, but higher than 1st time round.

Knee revision operations typically involve replacement of both components of the knee replacement. It is unusual to only need to change the one. One can usually expect to be able to put one's full weight through a revision knee replacement from day one.